First of all, I am a single, public school teacher, so you can quickly extrapolate that it's not as if I took $10,000 from my stock or retirement savings. Nope, I took out a bank loan on the truck and I'm paying the money back month by month by month (by month by month). Secondly, St. Jude Retreat House is taking
advantage of vulnerable families in crisis - how much lower can you get??? I had a family member with a long history of drug and alcohol abuse, and I had just received a substantial payraise. The family member did not have insurance and was exhibiting lifethreatening behavior. I found this place on the internet that looked PERFECT. But, I checked with friends and family members who said it looked ideal. I also called law enforcement, a local church, checked the BBB AND the local newspaper before making travel arrangements and sending a certified check for six weeks of recuperation in the Algonquin mountains, as well as education, etc. Etc. Etc.
To cut right to the chase, the family member was kicked out 4 DAYS after entering and the Retreat Center kept every penny. He was accused of trying to make a dope deal while at a convenience store by someone who was not even associated with the Retreat center, and who used drugs as well. Here are some pertinent facts:
1. The people in the center are allowed to roam through out the village with their cell phones and without supervision
2. When the manager called, he said, "I really hate to kick this person out, because the alleged drug deal is hearsay".
3. They dumped a person with issues into a cheap motel before they even notified me. We live THREE THOUSAMD miles away. It was the grace of God that our family member didn't commit suicide or drink to excess and get robbed or attacked.
4. They kept every penny - I wouldn't have quibbled had they kept even 1 or 2 thousand for the 4 days, but ALL is just WRONG!
5. A "counselor" told our family member that the 88% success rate as quoted on the internet is more like 20%
6. Drugs were used openly amoung the rehab participants - one kid's Dad was a doctor and he was mailing Xanex to his son
7. Our family member was told that "marijuana is so low level we don't even care"
8. Add in airline tickets and incidentals, more like $12,000
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